‘If you don’t distance yourself from Ken, I will post these pictures all around the school. Don’t even think about sacrificing yourself for this guy either, just imagine what would happen to him if this scandal got out. He’ll likely lose his spot in the club, possibly even be expelled from the school.’
Once again, the tears began to pour down Ai’s face, staining the note with their wetness.
‘You could have done this the easy way, but you were too stubborn. I never wanted to resort to this, but you can only blame yourself. This is for your own good.’
His words conveyed the kind of delusion that his twisted mind had deemed as truth. Not only did he blame the victim for her reaction, he truly seemed to believe his words.
Ai’s mind was in turmoil and she suddenly felt cold and alone.
As a 16 year old teenager, her emotions were already at the mercy of her hormones. To be so blatantly targeted like this, she did not know who to turn to in this moment.
‘Ken… Help me.’
However, if her stalker found out that she had gone to Ken for help, he would do as he said and potentially ruin both of their lives. She would be known as a loose woman, and Ken could lose his opportunity to play baseball.
She slowly picked herself off the ground and walked towards the school gates, seemingly on autopilot.
***
In the present time, Ken was currently on his way back home from the surprise practice that the coach had sprung on them after the game. Since he did not play, he made sure to work hard, setting a good example for the rest of the team.
As he slumped against the train window, he pulled out his phone and checked for any new emails, only to be disappointed.
‘Just what is going on with Ai?’ Ken asked himself.
She hadn’t responded to his emails since yesterday and even then they were short, very unlike her usual responses.
“I should go see her before I go home.” He muttered.
If he couldn’t get her to respond via mail, maybe she’ll talk to him in person.
Around an hour later, he arrived out the front of Ai’s house. Since it was already late, the bakery had closed to customers.
He pressed the doorbell and stood back, only to hear the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs.
“One moment.”
Ken frowned. It was Ai’s father, and his tone seemed as if he was pissed off.
His worries came to fruition after Tetsu opened the door. Upon seeing Ken at his home, his face fell, quickly transforming into one of rage.
“You dare show yer face here again!?”
His thick accent seemed even more wild as he stared at Ken with pure unadulterated hatred.
Ken felt the hairs on his neck raise up as his instincts screamed at him to flee. However, his concern for Ai outweighed his nerves, forcing his feet to stay rooted to the ground.
‘Why is he so angry?’ Ken thought in confusion.
“I-I’m here to check on Ai. She didn’t come to the game today.” He tried to sound confident, however he inevitably stammered.
WHOOSH
THUD
Ken was suddenly knocked backwards by a looping hook from the burly man, forcing him back onto the street. He felt his equilibrium quiver from the unexpected blow, almost falling on his behind from the shock.
“W-What the hell was that!?”
He felt his cheek throbbing from the punch, yet the adrenaline masked the pain, causing his heart to beat faster.
Tetsu didn’t answer, choosing instead to walk forward, violence etched on his rugged features.
“How dare you do that to my Ai!” He bellowed, loading up for another punch.
This time Ken was ready for the punch, managing to duck under it just in time. The sound of wind rushing sounded above his head, giving him a fright.
“DO WHAT?” Ken screamed out, feeling his heart beating out of his chest.
He had no idea what Tetsu was talking about. Everything happened so suddenly that his mind was struggling to keep up. It probably didn’t help that he was still in disarray from the earlier surprise punch to the face.
“Don’t ya play dumb!”
Once again, Tetsu moved forward. This time throwing a left hook which hit Ken directly on the right shoulder thanks to their height difference.
“Ah!” Ken screamed out in pain, feeling a stabbing pain in his shoulder.
‘Oh no…’
Ken stumbled back a few times, gripping his shoulder tightly. The pain which had disappeared in this life seemed to come rushing back, bringing with it the despair and anguish which he thought was left behind.
‘No… Damn. Damn’
“DAMN IT!”
Ken shrieked, feeling the last bit of self control he had disappear entirely. He stared at the man who was the cause for exposing him to such a trauma once again and felt his body heat up, his anger exploding.
He jolted forward, using the Agility he’d honed through countless hours training and threw a left uppercut, feeling his knuckles connect with Tetsu’s jaw.
Not expecting such a swift movement, Tetsu was knocked back a few feet, however it was clear that not much damage was dealt by the blow.
But Ken did not care.
Once again he blitzed forward before sending out a looping left hook towards Tetsu’s liver. The dull sound of flesh colliding rang out, evoking a sickening feeling to those who heard it.
True to his name, Tetsu’s body was like striking iron. If it wasn’t for the adrenaline pumping through Ken’s body, he’d be experiencing a lot of pain just from that last blow.
“What are you two doing!?”
A shrill shriek came from the side, forcing the two fighters to move their gaze towards in the same direction, only to see Naomi and Ai coming towards them, holding bags.
Both women dropped what they were holding and ran forwards.
Naomi ran to her husband and Ai ran to Ken.